Legislation on the Move

Kegler Brown Construction NewsletterFebruary 1, 2000by Don Gregory

There are several bills pending in Ohio's General Assembly that affect Ohio's construction industry.

H.B. 401: This bill would revise the arbitration statutes so that certain procedural delays used to frustrate arbitration could be eliminated so that arbitration of disputes involving commercial contracts, particularly those utilized in the construction industry, could be further encouraged.

H.B. 490: This bill would attempt to straighten out Ohio law on payment bond claims, in view of the Thomas Steel decision, to clarify that subcontractors and suppliers have 90 days from final acceptance of the entire project (not just their work) to assert a claim against the bond.

H.B. 491: This bill would make contract provisions requiring venue or jurisdiction in another state unenforceable if the project is located in Ohio.